Slot-guard for toy banks.



No. 706,9!3. Patented Aug. I2, 4902.

J. W. ESHLEMAN. SLOT GUARD FOR TOY BANKS.

(Application filed Nov. 12, 1901?) (No Modeln 1n: Nonms wenn: co. PNoYauTno., wAswNnYogn, r:4 c.

UNITED STATES,N

lITFICE.

aTnNT SLOTn-GUARD FOR TOYA BANKS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 706,913, dated August 12, 1902-.4

Application tiled November 12, 1901. 'Serialll'a 82,006. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN W. ESHLEMAN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Mount Joy, in thecounty of Lancaster and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Slot-Guards for Toy Banks, of which the following isa specification.

The object of this invention is to provide certain devices which will protect the coinslot in toy money-boxes and eectually pre- `vent the coins being abstracted after they are deposited through theslot; and with this objectin viewtheinvention consists in the particular construction and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter fully described, and more specifically set forth inthe appended` claims.

In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specilication, and in which like letters of reference indicate like parts in the several views, Figure l is an elevation of a money-box, showing my improved slot-guard applied thereto. Fig. 2 isavertical sectional view. Fig. 3 is a plan view with the covering-plate removed. Referring to said drawings, A designates a money-box, and B the coin-slot with which such boxes are usually provided.

In.carrying out my invention I provide a block or casting C, which is attached to the box A below the coin-slot B and carries a number of spring-actuated balls D, which come together between the slot B and a similar slot c in the block or casting. Theblock or casting C is recessed in its upper side, and in the bottom of said recess are a series of semicircular grooves c', arranged transversely of the coin-slot and parallel with each other, the grooves at one side of the slot c being on a line with those at the other side. In each groove is placed a ball D and spring d, the latter being interposed between the ball and side wall of the block, soas to move said ball over the coin-slot and against the ball in the opposite groove. It'will be 'noted that two rows of spring-actuated balls are provided, which come together on a line with the longitudinal center of the coin-slots B and o, and that the springswill yield to permit the balls to be separated bya coil/iras it is passed through the slots; also, `that the balls are guided by the .grooves in which they play,

which not only insures their proper engagement with each other, but also prevents a disarrangement of said balls. The grooves serve the further purpose of holding the Vsprings in place.

Though the balls do not prevent the passage oi' a coin through the slot into the moneybox, they will close against' each other after the coin is deposited into thegbox and will thereby-prevent said coin from being ab- In this particular the springs form more securely close the slot.` Anumber of small balls are employed and arranged closely, so that it will be impossible to abstract a coin, and additional security is afforded by providing the ribs c2 at opposite sides of the slot c.

The block or casting C is provided with shoulders c3, upon which rests a coveringplate e, adapted to hold the balls and springs in place, so that the device will form a complete article for attachment to money boxes or banks. When the device is attached beneath the slot of money-boxes, asV shown in thedravvings, .the screw-eyes f, to which thev handle f is attached, pass through holes c4 in the wingsrc5 of the block or casting, and the'parts are'held by nuts, as shown.

The device hereinbefore described provides simpleand effectivemeans for protecting the `coin-slot of a money-box or toy bank, so that 4coins which are deposited in the box or bank cannot be shaken out or otherwise abstracted through the slot. By making the device as a separate article of manufacture it can be applied to money boxes or banks without changing the construction of same.

Having thus described my invention, I

l claiml. As a new article of manufacture, a slotguard for money-boxes, comprising a block or casting having a central slot and grooves arranged transversely of said slot, balls located in the grooves at opposite sides of the-slot, springs bearing against the balls to bring them together over 'the slot, a covering-plate having a slot on a line with the aforesaid slot, and perforated extensions or wingsfon the block to provide for securing it to the money-box, substantially as shown and described.

2. In a slot-guard for money-boxes, the com- IOO bination of the box having a coin-slot and holding the parts together, substantially as 1o holes beyond the ends of said slot, a block shown and described. provided with a slot and grooves arranged In testimony whereof I afix my signature transversely of said slot, andaseries of springn the presence of two Winesses. 5I actuated balls located in the grooves and i adapted to close the coin-slots; togetherl with JOHN ESHLEMAN screw-eyes passed through the holes in the Witnesses:

box and apertnred extensions of the block, a O. M. DONAVEN, handle connected to said screw-eyes, and nuts R. J`. MYERS. 

